32 
TABLE OF DISTANCES, ETC. 
So far as any estimate has been made by me of the amount of work to be done on the roads, 
these sums of ascents and descents have little practical value, since those portions of the routes 
have been indicated where it may be considered advisable to use steep natural slopes with 
extra engines, to expedite the completion of the road, and save expensive road-bed pre¬ 
paration. With a full equipment and heavy freight business, the sum of ascents and descents 
becomes important. 
The nature of the surveys does not admit of a comparison of the degree of curvature on 
the several routes. 
B. 
Distances of the eastern termini of the several Pacific railroad routes to the Mississippi river , 
Boston , New York, Charleston , and New Orleans, by railroads built, building , and projected, 
as measured on the cc Railroad Maps.” 
Miles. 
1. St. Paul to Boston........... 1,316 
to New York........... 1,190 
to Charleston........... 1,193 
to New Orleans...... 1,198 
Aggregate... ........ 4,897 
2. Council Bluffs to Bock Island, (Miss, river)..... 267 
to Boston........... 1,374 
to New York..... 1,252 
to Charleston............... 1,195 
to New Orleans...... 1,075 
Aggregate. ............ 5,163 
3. Westport, mouth of Kansas, (near Fort Leavenworth,) to St. Louis, (Miss, river)... 245 
to Boston....................... 1,415 
to New York.................. 1,220 
to Charleston......... 1,045 
to New Orleans............ 875 
Aggregate.......... 4,800 
4. Fort Smith, on the Arkansas, to Memphis, (Miss, river) ... 270 
to Boston............ ..... 1,540 
to New York... ............— 1,345 
to Charleston........___....... —....... 960 
to New Orleans........... 655 
Aggregate........................................... 4,770 
5. Fulton to Gaines, (Miss, river).................... 150 
to Boston.., —............... 1,530 
to New York............. 1,335 
to Charleston......... 950 
to New Orleans............ 402 
Aggregate......... 4,367 
